Trauma Intervention Program

TIP of Greater Portland is a chapter of Trauma Intervention Programs, Inc. (TIP), a national non-profit organization founded in 1985. TIP has 14 affiliates serving over 250 cities across the nation. TIP of Greater Portland provides services to police, fire and hospital staff serving the following areas: Portland, South Portland, Westbrook and towns of Cumberland, Falmouth, Cape Elizabeth, Gorham, Scarborough and Windham. TIP also provides support to Maine Medical Center's trauma emergency department and the special care units for adults and pediatrics.

TIP has received the prestigious Innovations Award in State and Local government from Harvard University and Ford Foundation, the Crime Victim Service Award from the US Justice Department, and the Governor's Victim Service Award from the State of California.

A major reason for the TIP Program is to prevent what mental health professionals call the Second Injury. The Second Injury is a victims perspective that the emergency system did not provide the support needed after a tragic event. Emergency personnel simply do not have the time to provide this support. They call TIP Volunteers who can prevent a second injury. In parts of the country which do not have a TIP Program, second injuries reported by victims are common. Three examples of Second Injuries:

• An elderly gentleman, whose wife was hit and killed in a crosswalk, was not informed why she was left in the street for hours. To this day, the husband is still angry at the system.
• After a young man killed himself, his family was left to clean the bloody scene on their own. To this day, they wonder why didnt anyone help us with this awful task?
• After a mother of four died in an emergency department, her family felt pressed by busy hospital staff into choosing a mortuary. To this day, the family regrets the hurried decision they made.

These are just a sample of the terrible things that can happen to victims in the aftermath of a tragic event. One of TIPs main goals is to help prevent these second injuries from happening. TIP volunteers are trained to step in to work with staff and responders. For example, victims are given information as to how to contact crime scene cleanup companies and other community services. TIP volunteers also help protect victims against well-meaning friends who mistakenly say the wrong things.

TIP in the news:

"A great program. It appears the TIP program is an idea whose time has come."
---Giselle Fernandez, NBC Today Show

"I am aware of several victim assistance programs. However, none can come close to TIP Inc. in terms of performance, consistency, cost, scale of activity, supervision and morale."
---Mr. James Stewart, Former Director National Institute of Justice

"A shining example of an organization at its best."
---New York Times

TIP is a group of specially trained volunteers who provide emotional first aid and practical support to survivors of traumatic events and their families in the first few hours following a tragedy. Trained, skilled TIP responders are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Police officers, firefighters, paramedics and hospital personnel contact TIP to assist:

• family members and friends following a natural or unexpected death.
• victims of crime including rape, assault, robbery, and burglary
• victims of fire
• disoriented or lonely older persons
• persons involved in vehicle accidents
• persons who are distraught and seeking immediate support
• family members of a person who has completed suicide

What Do TIP Volunteers Do?

• provide emotional support
• help arrange for shelter, food, clothing, and transportation
• notify family and friends
• serve as liaison between the victims and emergency and hospital authorities
• help arrange follow-up services
• provide information and referral to appropriate agencies for ongoing assistance